Warrant issued in Grady station fuel theft

April 16, 2008

Freedom New Mexico

An arrest warrant was issued Monday for a 54-year-old Curry County man in connection with the theft of approximately 465 gallons of fuel from a Grady fuel station, according to a press release from the Curry County Sheriff’s Office.

Robert “Bobby” L. Daniel is accused of stealing gas on three separate occasions between Jan. 17 and March 5 from a self-serve station owned by Red Rock Oil Co. of Clovis, according to the release.

During all three incidents, Daniel damaged machinery and equipment at the fuel station, the release said.

He is charged with three felony counts of criminal damage to property, two counts of criminal damage under $1,000, larceny under $500, two counts of felony larceny and one count of burglary, court records show.

Daniel’s tractor-trailer has been seized and search warrants have been conducted at his residence and the residence of an associate, the release said.

Law enforcement made telephone contact Friday with Daniel and offered him an opportunity to be present for the searches, but the suspect did not show up, Sheriff Matt Murray said.

Red Rock Oil shut down the station on March 24, leaving San Jon and Clovis, more than 30 miles away, the nearest places to buy fuel.

Red Rock owner Darrell Cook previously cited more than $30,000 in theft and damage as the reason for closing the Grady facility.

The investigation was slowed by delays in receiving records from the victim, according to the sheriff’s department.